A healthy society depends on a healthy planet, and climate change is putting both at risk. That’s why, in addition to partnering with our clients on sustainability and sharing our insights, McKinsey is committed to reaching net zero in line with the latest climate science through decarbonizing our own operations and permanently removing all remaining emissions. We’re not alone on our journey to help build a more sustainable and inclusive future, and there will be challenges – but we all need to do more, together.
One planet. One mission. All of us.
Our approach to environmental sustainability
Our commitment to climate action begins with our own actions, which is why McKinsey has set validated science-based targets to reduce our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in line with a 1.5-degree pathway. We have also submitted our 2050 science-based net zero target to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) for validation. Achieving these goals and lowering our firm's carbon footprint is our top priority.
Our ESG Report
2022 ESG Report
Our annual report summarizes the significant strides we have made across insights, client service, and our own firm in advancing sustainable and inclusive growth around the world.
Video
We have 120 Green Teams made up of more than 1,200 colleagues, representing nearly every McKinsey office. From eliminating single-use plastic and improving water efficiency, to educating colleagues about sustainable travel options, our Green Teams help build awareness, mobilize local efforts, and reduce the firm’s environmental footprint. Our annual ‘Go Green Awards’ recognize Green Teams who have gone above and beyond to make their McKinsey locations around the world more environmentally sustainable.
While reducing emissions is our first priority and essential to tackling climate change, we cannot achieve global climate goals without also finding solutions that remove existing carbon from the atmosphere. As McKinsey transitions to 100% carbon removals by 2030, we have been carbon neutral since 2018 by compensating for all emissions that we have not yet been able to eliminate. We do this in two ways: by investing in nature and by investing in technology.
Investing in nature
McKinsey invests in natural climate solutions – in particular, forest protection and reforestation – both to compensate for our remaining emissions and to help remove additional carbon from the atmosphere. We are proud to be an initial participant in the LEAF Coalition, one of the largest public-private efforts to protect tropical forests and provide safeguards that gives agency to Indigenous peoples and local communities.
Investing in technology
In April 2022, McKinsey partnered with Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and Stripe to found Frontier, a new eight-year, $1+ billion advance market commitment to purchase permanent carbon removal before 2030. By guaranteeing future demand, Frontier seeks to accelerate the development of permanent carbon removal technologies and expand global supply and accessibility.
Climate change is too big a challenge for any one organization to take on themselves. That’s why we work with our clients, nonprofits, and other peer organizations around the world on multi-year initiatives that help protect nature and reduce biodiversity loss. We also embed sustainability in our own processes, partnering with our key suppliers to make their operations more environmentally responsible.
Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA)
McKinsey is a founding member of the Sustainable Aviation Buyers Alliance (SABA), an alliance between corporate customers, airlines, and non-profit organizations to support the future of sustainable aviation by reducing emissions from flying. SABA’s mission is to accelerate the path to net-zero aviation by aggregating investment in high-integrity sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to catalyze new SAF production, driving the development of a Book-and-Claim system, and supporting member engagement in policy-making efforts.
Enduring Earth
McKinsey is working with Enduring Earth, a collaboration between The Nature Conservancy, The Pew Charitable Trusts, World Wildlife Fund, and ZOMALAB to accelerate ocean, land, and freshwater conservation and support community development worldwide. This effort brings together governments, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and funders to develop accountable, actionable, and science-based conservation plans that create opportunities for sustainable economic growth.
OUR PARTNERS
Reporting and disclosure
Keep exploring
Insights
How We Help Clients
Our Commitments